loppy

The puppy has long, loppy ears.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Hanging down loosely: "loppy" describes something that hangs down in a limp, drooping, or sagging manner, often used to refer to ears, hair, or fabric.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dog had loppy ears that flopped over its eyes. (The ears hung down loosely and drooped.)
  • Her loppy hair fell across her face, unkempt and heavy. (Her hair hung limply and loosely.)

Advanced Usage

• "loppy and lank": a phrase used to emphasize a combination of drooping and thinness.

  • The old curtains were loppy and lank, barely covering the window. (The curtains sagged and hung limply.)

• "loppy ears": a common collocation, especially for certain dog breeds like Basset Hounds.

  • The puppy's loppy ears were soft and floppy. (The ears drooped down in a characteristic way.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lop (verb): to cut off or trim, but also can relate to hanging loosely (note: "lop" as in "lop-eared" is the root).

  • The gardener decided to lop off the dead branches. (To cut off; this is a different sense, but the adjective "loppy" derives from "lop" meaning to hang.)

• Lop-eared (adj): having ears that droop or hang down.

  • A lop-eared rabbit is a common pet. (The rabbit's ears hang down loosely.)

Synonyms

• Droopy: hanging or sagging downward.

  • The droopy flower petals touched the ground. (The petals hung down limply.)

• Flabby: lacking firmness; hanging loosely (often used for flesh or fabric).

  • His flabby arms shook as he waved. (The arms hung loosely and lacked muscle tone.)

• Limp: lacking stiffness; not firm.

  • The limp celery stalks were wilted. (The stalks hung without strength.)

Related Idioms

• "Loppy as a hound's ear": an informal comparison meaning extremely droopy or sagging.
  • The hat was loppy as a hound's ear, completely misshapen. (The hat sagged badly.)

Notes on Usage

• "Loppy" is a less common adjective, primarily used in informal or descriptive contexts, especially in British English. It is often encountered in descriptions of animals (e.g., dogs with loppy ears) or objects that have lost their shape. It is not used in formal or technical writing.